Most of Japan belongs to the Palearctic eco-zone. But the location of Japan is at the most east and south edges of Palearctic zone and facing to the Nearctic zone at the north area, the Indo-Malaya zone at the south area, and the Australasia zone across the Pacific Ocean. Also, Japan is located at the temperate zone in the most of the area, the subarctic zone at the north and mountain area, and tropical zone at the south area (from 24° to 46° north latitude).
Japan is composed of approx. 7,000 isolated islands surrounded by sea where many endemic subspecies existence.
Japan has never been covered by glacier. This means that the life had not been exterminated by glacier in Japan. During the glacial periods, Japan was jointed to the Eurasian continent and life of continent moved into Japan.
These unique geographical and historical conditions create a big biological variation in Japan. These have been influenced the life of birds in Japan, too.
Now, 619 bird species have been recorded in Japan including 13 endemics, 7 breeding endemics, 54 globally threatened species and 12 introduced species. In the level of subspecies, more endemic birds in Japan existence.
Please enjoy Birding in Japan.
Short (max. 10 sentences) introduction to this country, including information on
geography, biogeography, habitats, typical bird communities, importance for
birdwatching
Most of Japan belongs to the Palearctic eco-zone. But the location of Japan is at the most east and south edges of Palearctic zone and facing to the Nearctic zone at the north area, the Indo-Malaya zone at the south area, and the Australasia zone across the Pacific Ocean. Also, Japan is located at the temperate zone in the most of the area, the subarctic zone at the north and mountain area, and tropical zone at the south area (from 24° to 46° north latitude).
Japan is composed of approx. 7,000 isolated islands surrounded by sea where many endemic subspecies existence.
Japan has never been covered by glacier. This means that the life had not been exterminated by glacier in Japan. During the glacial periods, Japan was jointed to the Eurasian continent and life of continent moved into Japan.
These unique geographical and historical conditions create a big biological variation in Japan. These have been influenced the life of birds in Japan, too.
Now, 619 bird species have been recorded in Japan including 13 endemics, 7 breeding endemics, 54 globally threatened species and 12 introduced species. In the level of subspecies, more endemic birds in Japan existence.
Please enjoy Birding in Japan.
